Related Resources

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

m. Agnes, 1s. 3da.

Offices Held

Mayor, Devizes 1568, 1573

Biography

The name Grube, of Flemish origin, first appeared in Wiltshire during the fifteenth century. By the reign of Elizabeth the family was prominent in the Potterne and Devizes district. Although his ancestors were engaged in the woollen industry, there is no evidence that Grube himself was a clothier. He owned a house and several tenements in Devizes and another house at Week, possibly acquired through marriage.

When, in 1572, the common council met to elect two burgesses for the forthcoming Parliament, Grube and his colleague George Reynolds promised to serve without wages. But this Parliament went to three sessions, evidently more than Grube had bargained for. In 1578 he started an action against the corporation, maintaining that the promise covered only the first session of Parliament. The mayor and corporation fought his claim in Chancery and in the next year Grube was committed to prison for slandering the mayor. He died in 1582. By his will, made 8 May and proved 26 June of that year, he left money to various parish churches including St. Mary’s, Devizes, where he wished to be buried. He made bequests to his children and grandchildren. He appointed his wife executrix and two friends overseers.